The NumbersWith a significant growth in attendance, over 8,300 people attended GOA 2014 from 70 countries. Forty three percent of attendees were international, further cementing this international show as a key worldwide industry event.

“Graphics of the Americas 2014 was an outstanding success!” George Ryan, GOA President, exclaimed. “Numerous accolades from exhibitors and attendees continue to come in, describing GOA 2014 once again as a “buying show” and a great way to start off the year in an improving economy.

“The attitude of the exhibitors and attendees was very positive about the future and it reaffirms the 2013 GOA study that the economies in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean are growing at a robust rate of 2.6 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. We are optimistic that the printing industry is at a turning point, and that is this is the start of a robust turnaround after several challenging years.”

What the Exhibitors are Saying“We were very pleased with this year’s show! There was a steady stream of foot traffic within the exhibit hall and within the OKI Data booth, in particular, and we secured several strong leads as a result of our engagement with show attendees.

OKI’s investment in development of new professional digital printing solutions, and in the Graphics of the Americas show, demonstrates and underscores the company’s long-term commitment to this evolving market segment.”—Rich Egert, General Manager of the Strategic Technology Provider Business Group for OKI Data Americas

“Based on the equipment sold on the show floor, the multitude of sales leads, and firm orders already received; I am happy to say that the 2014 Graphics of the Americas Expo was an overwhelming success for Perez Trading.”—Noel Alcantara, Division Manager, Perez Trading

“PrintGuard has exhibited at GOA each year for the past decade. This has been a very productive show over the years, but 2014 was full of surprises. We met and brought on two fabulous new Dealers in Central and South America, won Best Booth Award, and successfully launched a new antimarking product – PrintGuard Regular—our high quality, low cost White glass bead jackets for Heidelberg Printers, who needed an alternative to blue, green or gold lower priced jackets!”—Daniel J. Rizika, president, PrintGuard Inc.GOA EducationA popular destination for the latest industry education, 1,250 people participated in GOA’s renowned educational programs, including 360 attending the Spanish seminars.

The keynote by Peter Muir, president of Bizucate Inc. provided a futuristic view of “Where will Your Profits Come From Tomorrow.” His “hands on” examples of how data coupled with print increased revenues ten-fold for customers provided an insightful look into the future of print into integrated marketing campaigns.

Twenty Digital Classroom Live seminars were presented by the American Graphics Institute (AGI), where seminars were offered for prepress, production, digital printing, sales, marketing, management and wide format printing.

On the Show FloorThe GOA 2014 show floor was packed with a variety of offerings for attendees, including: the Vehicle Wrap Center (sponsored by ARLON, SAI and Mutoh America), Direct-to-Substrate Center (sponsored by Sewing Machine.com), Wide Format Print Shop Live! (sponsored by Caldera, Mutoh, Converd and Zund), FlexoZone (sponsored by Nilpeter)—and the 3D Printing Zone (sponsored by Afinia and MaQeo).

Game Changers DebutThe first-ever Game Changer showcase at GOA 2014 honored manufacturers and developers who are building solutions that will have “lasting and positive effect” on the industry. The following solutions have been given the special distinction of being a GOA 2014 Game Changer:

Best Booth Award Winners—Konica Minolta and PrintGuard This year, the GOA Trade Show Council awarded Konica Minolta and PrintGuard with the “best booth” based on the following five criteria: creativity and originality; use of the company’s featured product and images in its booth design; booth staff’s enthusiasm, friendliness and interaction with attendees; promotional giveaways; and overall appearance and experience.

Curt Kreisler, first vice chairman, Printing Association of Florida and chairman of the GOA Trade Show Council, said, “Congratulations to PrintGuard and Konica Minolta! It was very obvious that these exhibitors put the “extra” effort into their booths. Great curb appeal, good giveaways and an outgoing staff made these two stand out among a bunch of other really impressive exhibitor booths.

“Based on the amount of traffic both of these exhibitors had in their booths and interaction I am sure that they both had a terrific show.”

GOA 2015 RegistrationExhibitor registration for GOA 2015 is available by visiting: www.goaexpo.com, or 1-800-331-0461. About Printing Association of Florida (PAF) The Printing Association of Florida is one of the most active and influential printing associations in North America, with headquarters in Orlando, FL. More than 300 Florida-based graphic arts companies consider PAF their ultimate business partner. Governed by an all-volunteer board of directors elected by its membership, PAF is a not-for-profit association representing the interests of the graphic arts industry throughout the state. PAF is affiliated with Printing Industries of America, the world’s largest graphic arts trade association, making PAF members a part of the largest, most comprehensive graphic arts advocacy organization in the world. PAF is located at 6275 Hazeltine National Drive, Orlando, FL, 32822.

About Graphics of the Americas (GOA)Now in its 39th year, Graphics of the Americas, produced annually by the Printing Association of Florida, take places on Feb. 27-March 1, 2014 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, FL. GOA is one of the graphic communications industry’s largest, annual, combined expositions and conferences. GOA is a unique event that attracts over 7,300 printers, designers, and creative professionals from around the world. To register, or for more information, call 1-800-331-0461, or visit: www.goaexpo.com.